Advanced Arduino

Arduino + i2c

Intro to FamiLAB

Curriculum:

FamiLAB's mission

Communication/collaboration tools

Shop safety

Could have several people each do a 15 minute segment...

Tracy started thinking about how to structure this class and determined that without a clear idea of the mission (and whatever policies or rules get written as a by-product of the mission), it's hard to make a lot of headway on this. Once the mission workshop happens it will be easier.

How to Teach a Class class and workshop

This class will run about two hours total -- one hour of organized instruction followed by an hour of open lab where you can work on a lesson plan and get feedback.

You will get the most benefit from this class if you come with an idea in mind of what class you would like to teach. We'll use your ideas as our working examples.

We'll talk about how to create instructional objectives expressed in terms of what the successful student will know or be able to do at the conclusion of the class, which is arguably the single most important concept in all of education and the one that most non-teachers do poorly or not at all.

We'll talk about how "props and sets" affect learning and what you can do about it.

You'll get a lesson plan template that will greatly increase your chances of having and doing everything necessary for a successful class.

After the hour of "structured" instruction, we'll have an hour of open lab where you'll complete a lesson plan template for your own class and get as much feedback as you need.

The only materials needed or provided are a few pieces of paper, so there won't be a charge for the class. Students will want to bring along their own note paper and a pen or pencil. Tablet computers will be permitted for this purpose, but please leave your laptops in the other room so we can all see each other without looking over the wall of a screen.

Intro to the Laser cutter

Intro to Urethane Plastic Casting

This is intended to be a hands on class which will take about 3 hours. The idea is to come with a small item you would like to make a copy of and a disposable container which is about a half inch larger in all dimensions. The class will provide the material for a single use mold and a single part.

The mold material will be Algenate which is a fast setting non-toxic soft material designed for skin contact. (My first cast was of my thumb.)

The casting material will be a relatively hard urethane plastic.

Nominally the material is white.

Colorants will be available.

If there is sufficient interest a clear material will be available. (The material comes in 1 quart minimum.) A student could purchase an entire quart of their desired material if so inclinded.

The students will be expected to pay for the materials on the basis of volume. Cost is estimated at about $30/quart based on the casting container size. It will be necessary for them to pre-register to make sure sufficient materials are on hand.

The format will be a classroom demonstration followed by a workshop where each student makes their own casting.

Items to be covered:

Minimum requirements for casting

Safety Considerations

Introduction to casting materials

Mold design consiterations

Measuring and Mixing Materials

Items affecting casting quality

It is expected this could take place in the conference room if provision can be made to control spills. Each student should have about 6 square feet of table space to help prevent spills. Casting material in the carpet is irreversible.

Wordpress Blogging 101

Ian will teach - ping me if there is demand and I'll get working on the slides

How to contribute to the FamiLAB blog

How to take photos / video that work well for the blog and get them into a post

How to use the Arras theme & featured images

Thinking of your audience

Child Protection considerations when blogging

Wordpress Admin 101

Ian, Bill?

Installing

Admin

Themes

Child themes

xbee 101: Telekinesis and Jedi Mind Tricks

John, Bill?, Ted?

make things happen from afar, know what happens from over there, become omniscient

concerns: cost of equipment, level of interest?

I'm sure interest is there!

Cost of equipment would be a biggie. Would we want people to walk away with enough hardware to do something? That's probably two radios + breakout boards = $$$. Maybe look into cost via gadget emporium?